义勇兵（Minuteman）是美国独立战争时期，麻省的特殊民兵组织，从美国各地民兵中挑选出特别精壮的成员所集结而成。成员顾名思义，他们具有高机动性、快速部署的能力，一旦有状况发生，可以在一分钟内就集合赶到现场，使到殖民地能够迅速对战斗进行应对。

他们是第一批参加美国独立战争的组织之一，成员占了整个民兵组织的1/4。大部分成员都比较年轻，也比较具有机动性，成为了早期革命响应者网络的一部份。

义勇兵暨自由之子成员保罗·列维尔便是在美国独立战争爆发前夜，传播英国正规军即将从波士顿出兵的情报。不过列维尔在完成任务之前，遭遇到正在前往康科德军火库没收武器弹药的英军而被俘虏。

Minutemen were private colonists who independently organized to form well-prepared militia companies self-trained in weaponry, tactics and military strategies from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They were also known for being ready in a minute's notice. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.